8 Things to Consider Prior to Selecting a Managed Services Provider

Change isn’t easy, especially if it involves moving away from an IT environment and infrastructure your organization has utilized for years. Even though the benefits of moving to a managed services model are widely known—24.7.365 availability, greater scalability, predictable costs, and faster adoption of new technologies—there are several aspects about managed services that can leave IT personnel shuddering at the thought of losing control and no longer having all IT resources onsite. Each of the following should be carefully considered when vetting out potential Managed Service Providers.

1. Network Operations Center.

Selecting a Managed Service Provider that outsources its Network Operations Center (NOC) can introduce potential challenges not previously considered. It’s not uncommon for a provider to utilize a third party NOC, which, in turn, is white labeling NOC services through another vendor. If you are in a heavily-regulated industry, such as financial services, legal, or healthcare, ensuring your Managed Service Provider’s third party NOC adheres to regulatory mandates adds another important element to consider.

2. Skillsets.

Ensure the Managed Service Provider employs engineers and solutions architects whose skillsets extend beyond those of your current IT staff. One of the key benefits of using managed services is access to specialists and experts who add value above and beyond what your current team can provide.

3. Preventative measures.

Sure, it’s important that an MSP can resolve issues. However, it’s just as vital that they prevent issues from occurring in the first place. Ask them about their use of data analytics and root cause analysis to prevent future events from taking place. If you find they focus too much on break-fix, that might be a reflection of how they see themselves and have built their company. You don’t want a Band-Aid approach to managed services, but one that includes a heavy dose of preventative care.

4. Years of experience.

As companies increasingly adopt managed services, there are more and more vendors now offering these services. While some of the newer companies might be able to do a terrific job, it’s best not to entrust the management of your network to a company that has just entered the field. Ensure their managed services experience spans several industries, a wide variety of customer sizes, and different infrastructures, and technologies.

5. Service Level Agreements.

Service Level Agreements in the IT industry are as ubiquitous as Cat5 cable. They simply detail the penalties and remedies, including credits, the MSP must provide in the event the agreed-upon services are not delivered as outlined in the contract. SLAs should not be “set it and forget it” propositions. Make sure the MSP you are considering allows the SLA to be reviewed on a regular basis and allow for alterations in the event your business needs and/or technologies change.

6. Best practices.

The Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a framework outlining best practices for the delivery of IT services, as well as the key IT services lifecycle: service strategy and design; the transition and operations of services; and the continuation of services. Ensure your MSP vetting process includes the question, “Are you ITIL-certified, and, if so, at which level?” If your query is met with a blank stare or a stumbling answer, it’s probably time to move on to the next candidate.

7. Automation.

Utilize an MSP that has the experience to automate some of the time-consuming, tedious, and repetitive tasks to allow for more time spent on monitoring, notification, interoperability, management, and reporting.

8. Scalability.

Find out if the MSP can not only accommodate your current needs, but those that might change or evolve in the future. Companies grow and need change, so ask questions about how they will—and have in the past—execute changes to address these issues.

If your company or organization is considering Managed IT Services, contact VectorUSA Regional Sales Manager Chris Kyaw at 310.436.1054 or email him at ckyaw@vectorusa.com. We would be happy to answer any questions you have concerning your current Managed Service Provider or plans you might have to utilize managed services in the future.